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U.S. Department of Education Releases New Brochure Outlining Options For Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children

Monday, July 18th 2005

Denver, CO - May 31, 2005 - The U.S. Department of Education has issued a new brochure for parents explaining the full range of options, including cochlear implants, for deaf and hard-of-hearing children. This marks the first time the Department has published guidance on cochlear implants, implanted devices for severe to profoundly deaf individuals.

The brochure will improve the information provided to parents to help them make important decisions about their childs hearing health, said Donna L. Sorkin, Vice President, Consumer Affairs for Cochlear Americas, and an active advocate for early intervention in hearing health. It addresses the full range of options, including the benefits of cochlear implants for appropriate children, so that more parents will become aware of this remarkable technology. This guidance is a milestone on the path to early intervention, universal newborn hearing screenings, and broader insurance coverage of cochlear implants.

The brochure fulfills a policy directive from Congress issued as a result of the Congressional reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in December 2004. IDEA provides access to services and education for families and children with special needs. Entitled Opening Doors: Technology and Communications Options for Children With Hearing Loss, the brochure is distributed by state early intervention programs and is on the U.S. Department of Education Web site at: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/products/opening_doors/index.html

About Cochlear Americas

Since the worlds first cochlear implant system was introduced more than 20 years ago, Cochlear Limited and its US headquarters, Cochlear Americas, have brought the miracle of sound to more than 60,000 hearing-impaired individuals across the globe. Cochlears state-of-the-art technologies, based on extensive research and development at preeminent academic institutions, improve the ability to hear sound and understand speechenhancing both learning capabilities and quality of life for those with severe to profound hearing loss. Cochlear has remained the market leader in its field thanks to an unwavering commitment to innovation, reliability and customer support. This commitment is reflected in Cochlears fourth-generation cochlear implant system, the Nucleus Freedom', which is designed to mimic natural hearing and allow users to interact more fully with the world around them. Numerous awards, as well as published scientific data, attest to Cochlears outstanding product line and unsurpassed performance. Cochlears promise Hear Now. And Always. reflects its dedication to durability and service.

For more information about Cochlear's products, call the Cochlear Nucleus Hotline at 800/458-4999 (Voice) or 800/483-3123 (TTY) or visit the Web site at www.cochlear.com